Maternity garment



March 95 943- y BI sMlNK 2,313,399.

MATERNITY'GARMEVNT File'd sept'. 8, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. Brea/5 SMM/M @ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1943 STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to garments and more particularly it relates to maternity garments.

Among the characteristics desirable in a maternity garment are neatness of appearance and comfort, and the provision of a garment having these characteristics and also the characteristics of strength, convenience and economy are among the general objects of my invention.

Among the more particular objects of my invention is the provision in a maternity garment adapted to surround the abdominal portions having a Waist encircling portion of a pair of flaps that overlap each other and have means on the waist-engaging portions thereof whereby they may be secured in various positions of adjustment to accommodate various girths.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a garment provided with flaps, as hereinabove described, of a front panel having a movable portion adapted to cover the aforementioned flaps and thereby to produce a neat-appearing garment, and further the provision in a garment as just described of a panel having a movable portion provided with a waist encircling portion.

Among the objects of my invention is further the provision in a garment having overlapping waist-engaging flaps of roughened surfaces on the contacting portions of said flaps.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a skirt embodying my invention as viewed from f the front; Y A y Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the parts in opened or partly opened position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from the side of the skirt of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View, similar to Figure 1, of a second embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the front panel of the skirt in open position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 of a modified form.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have shown a maternity skirt consisting of two portions, a rear portion I and a front portion, designated collectively by the numeral II, and shown as constituted by sections or panels I2, I3 and I4 joined together in any suitable or preferred manner. Obviously also. the rear portion'V Ill, show-nas in the bottom, s0 that adjacent the waist-line theportions I0 and II, at an intermediate point just below the hip line, are not joined together and leave a covering flap 20. Extending forwardly from each side of the portion I9 vare a pair of flaps l'I and I8, shown as of generally triangular conformation and of such length and conformation that they are adapted to encircle the waist of a wearer and overlap each other. Means are provided for securing the flaps I'I and I8 together in Various positions of adjustment, whereby the garment will accommodate itself to various waist girths. Such means may be of any suitable character which Will hold the flaps I8 and I9 in overlapping, and preferably co-terminus position at the waist band. I have illustrated the clasp fasteners shown in the drawings arranged at equally spaced positions, having the female portions I9a on the flap I1, and the male portions ISb on the flap I 8, and which latter are arranged at correspondingly equal spaces,

The overlapping surfaces of the flaps I'I and I8 are preferably of such character that they will resist any tendency for the flaps to slide over each other and sag from the normal waist line portion. For this purpose the frictional characteristics of woolen fabrics accentuate the binding and tying action which will be further accomplished where the fabric is brushed fabric, such as cheviot, or of cheviot finished fabric. The covering iiap 2i! cooperates with the overlapping position of the flaps Il and I6 to accentuate further interacting binding action to carry out the objective of preventing 'sagging of f y Y the garment from the waist line position. The features of this construction will be understood to preserve the predeterminedly designed cut or form of the skirt portion of the garment.

It will be observed that flaps as described will provide a strong construction that willnot give readily and that may be adjusted to suit all (see: Figuresy 2 and-3) which in its normal position, as shown in Figure l', covers the flaps I1 and I8 and gives the garment a neat appearance. To hold it in place I have shown means in the form of bands 23 and 24 that are adapted to encircle the waist and to be tied together.

Additional support for the flap may be provided in the form of means such as clasp fasteners comprising complementary parts 2| and 22 carried respectively by the flaps I1 and 20. However, since as .the girth of the wearer increases, the flap 20, where it is connected to the flap I1 by these fasteners, cannot accommodate itself to this increased girth, the use of the fasteners may be dispensed with, and reliance placed only on the bands 23 and 24.

The surface of the Hap 23 Where Vit overlaps the flap I1, is also preferably rough or roughened,

and the remarks anent this feature in flaps I1" and I8 apply to the ap 20 as well.

It will be seen that I have provided a cona second embodiment of my invention, the skirt shown therein comprises a frusto-conical body portion 3G almost completely encircling the limbs of a wearer, but falling short thereof at its front lower portion so as to leave a gap. However the upper portions of the body 3G are extended into flaps y3| and 32 that are adapted to encircle the waist of a wearer and to overlap and correspond in function to the flaps I1 and I8 of the first embodiment. They may be secured together by suitable means such as the clasp fasteners shown at 33 in the drawings.

The aforementioned gap at` the lower front of the body portion is closed ,by a pleated panel 34 secured to the body portion at its sides, the pleating being indicated at 34a, and shown depending from a portion 35 extending upwardly to the waist line and provided with a pair of lateral flaps 36 and 31. The said portion 35 together with its flaps 36 and 31 is adapted to overlie the flaps 3l and 32 so as to conceal them and it may be attached to the ap 3| by suitable or preferred means such as the clasp fasteners shown in the drawings, which have complementary portions 38 and 39 carried respectively by the portion 35 and its flaps 36 and 31 on the one hand, and the flap 3l on the other. Bands 40 and 4I attached to the ends of the flaps 35 and 31 respectively serve for encircling the waist and for holding the flaps 35 and 31 in place. Y Y

From Figure 5 it clearly appears that the portion .35 with its fiaps. 3B and 3l'` maybe folded down so as to expose the flaps 3| and 32, which may then be unfastened. The construction-,is therefore similar to tha-tof Figures 1, 2 and 3. Its advantages lie in theuse of the pleated panel 34, which permits of expansion when desired, while normally hanging with its parts overlapping and therefore giving the skirt afrelatively slim appearance. Y

In the modification shown in Figure-6; the

construction is similar to that shown in Figures' 4 and 5 except that the pleating 34a has been omitted. The parts of this modification have been designated by the numerals used for corresponding parts in the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, these numerals however beingprimed. At 42 `and 43 I have shown the seams that join the panel 34' to the body portion 30j. w y l' 'It will be understood that all parts of the garments disclosed herein may be made of more than one piece, such pieces being joined together, and on the other hand, where a part is shown as made in several pieces (as the part II for example) that it may, where no functional advantage is lost by the pieced construction, be made in one piece.

Referring again to the rst embodiment, that is, the embodiment of Figures l, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the clasp fastener portions I9a are arranged at uniformly spaced intervals adjacent the upper edge of the ap I1. Similarly, the clasp fastener portions ISIJ, complementary to the portions I9a, are arranged at uniformly spaced intervals adjacent the upper edge of the flap 20. The spacing of the portions I9@ is identical with that of the portions 59h, so that the portions ISa and I9b register along the entire upper edge of the overlapping portions of flaps I1 and I8. As a result of this construction a distributed fastening is obtained in which all the fastener portions I-Sa. and IQb may be in simultaneous engagement throughout the extent of the overlapping portions of the flaps i1 and I8. Y It will consequently beseen that the waist girth as predetermined by aps I1 and I8 is adjustable by increments, and the length of each increment is equal to the distance between adjacent clasp fasteners. For each position of adjustment, the fastening uniting the aps I1. and I8 will be distributed along the upper edges of their overlapping portions, The advantages of such a distributed fastening in preventing sagging and bulging, as opposed to a fastening in which only a few, or even only one fastener, are used, are almost too obvious to require mention. It will be understood also that maintaining the waist line against sagging, as accomplished by the features I have disclosed, preserves the design of the skirt at the hips and waist so that a Ypredeterminedly fashioned skirt is not objectionably altered.

The nenessof adjustment is dependent on the distance between adjacent fasteners; obviously, greater ineness may be obtained by making this distance smaller.

These remarks also apply to the fasteners 33 Vand 33 of the other embodiments.

Sincethe fiaps I1 and 31 arealwayssecured together in the same relationship, the spacing of their fasteners Vneed not be as close as that of the fasteners I 9a and |92) because, although a distributed fastening is desired, no provision need be made for relative adjustment. The same remarks apply to the corresponding parts of the other embodiments. Y It will now be clear that I have provided a garment construction that is simple, effective and economical, and presents a neat appearance while giving the desired support tothe abdominalportions, and while affording convenience in the putting on or removal of the garment.-

It is Vto be understood that the various .parts of the garments herein disclosed. are not intendedto be used only in the exact relationship shown, but'thatmyinvention also contemplates their usejin -otherrelationships and combinations. It is furthermore tovbe understood that while I have described my invention in its application to skirts, and in particular to maternity skirts, that it -may be used for other types of garments, and for garments other than maternity garments."

vWhile Ishave herein disclosed-several illustrative embodiments of my invention, it will beunderstood that the same may be embodied in many other forms without departing from the spirit thereof, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the disclosure herein is by way of illustration merely and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and that I do not limit myself other than as called for by the language of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A maternity skirt having a rear panelled portion formed to provide a form-lit adjacent the rear of the garment and extending forwardly into communicating engagement with a front panelled portion at a portion substantially below the hip line and at 'substantially the lateral sides of the garment and having sections directed towards each other substantially above the hip line. separated and independently adjustable from the front panelled portion adjacent a point of the lateral sides of the garment and having extensions from said sections providing waist band members extended towards each other into overlapping positions in the direction of the waist line, the front panelled portion adjacent the hip line being connected to the forwardly directed sections of the rear panelled portion from points rearwardly from the terminal edges thereof at substantially the lateral sides of the garment and being separated and formed substantially above the hip line with sidewardly extending flaps which terminate in ties extended to encircle the waist line and provide a variable waist-line suspension for said front panelled portion, said waist band members each being provided with fastener members having complementary engaging connections on said respective band members whereby said band members may be positioned in adjustable relationship with each other and cooperating with the front panelled portion and the overlying flaps thereof above the hip line to maintain the sections suspended from the waist line at the frontal portions of the garment.

2. A maternity skirt having a rear panelled portion formed to provide a form-fit adjacent the rear of the garment and extending forwardly into communicating engagement with a front panelled portion at a portion substantially below the hip line and at substantially the lateral sides of the garment, which front panelled portion is arranged normally to lie in folds adapted to expand circumferentially and having sections directed towards each other substantially above the hip line, separated and independently adjustable from the front panelled portion adjacent a point of the lateral sides of the garment and having extensions from said sections providing waist band members extended towards each other into overlapping positions in the direction of the waist line, the front panelled portion adjacent the hip line being connected to the forwardly directed sections of the rear panelled portion from points rearwardly from the terminal edges thereof at substantially the lateral sides of the garment and being separated and formed substantially above the hip line with sidewardly extending flaps which terminate in ties extended to encircle the waist line and provide a variable waist-line suspension for said front panelled portion, said waist band members each being provided with fastener members having complementary engaging connections on said respective band members whereby said band members may be positioned in adjust-able relationship withv each other and cooperating with the front panclled portion and the overlying flaps thereof above the hip line to maintain the sections suspended from the waist line at the frontal portions of the garment.

3. A maternity skirt having a rear panelled portion formed to provide a form-fit adjacent the rear of the garment and extending forwardly into communicating engagement with a front panelled portion at a portion substantially below the hip line and at substantially the lateral sides of the garment and having sections directed towards each other substantially above the hip line, separated and independently adjustable from the front panelled portion adjacent a point of the lateral sides of the garment and having extensions from said sections providing waist band members extended into overlapping positions in the direction of the waist line, the front panelled portion adjacent the hip line being connected to the forwardly directed sections of the rear panelled portion from points rearwardly from the terminal edges thereof at substantially the lateral sides of the garment and being separated and formed substantially above the hip line with sidewardly extending flaps which terminate in ties extended to encircle the Waist line and provide a variable waist-line suspension for said front panelled portion, said waist band members each being provided with a plurality of equi-distantly spaced fastener members having complementary engaging connections on said respective band members whereby said band members may be positioned in adjustable relationship with a plurality of said complementary fastener members in engagement with each other and cooperating with the front panelled portion and the overlying aps thereof above the hip line to maintain the sections suspended from the Y Waist line at the frontal portions of the garment.

BERDIE SMINK. 

